This group began as a spin-off of Jefferson Airplane. Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady began playing as a duo, performing acoustic blues songs by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt and Reverend Gary Davis. The combination of Kaukenon's authentic Delta-style fingerpicking and Casady's rumbling electric bass immediately struck a chord with fans in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the group built up a loyal cult following. By the time the two left Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna had evolved into a hard-edged Blues Rock affair known for marathon, high volume shows.
